Combination shoeshine box, shoe rest, and bootblack seat



June l, 1954 M. MocoRMlcK 2,679,658

COMBINATION SHOESHINE BOX, SHOE REST, AND BOOTBLACK SEAT Filed March 25, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N MNT ATTORNEY June l, 1954 M. MGCORWCK 2,679,658

COMBINATION SHOESHINE BOX, SHOE REST, AND BOOTBLACK SEAT Filed March 25, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY little room to store all this equipment, and it has customarily been thrown in hodge-podge fashion into the open shoeshine box, so that access to any desired part thereof has been difficult, and as a result poor work resulted, and in addition the brushes, daubers, cloths, and other equipment became dirty, and hard to work with. Further, the bootblack has found it necessary to kneel on the bare ground in order to do his work, with consequent exposure to colds, and knee ailments therefrom, and continual discomfort. The present invention eliminates all these and many more objections, making it simple, convenient and comfortable for the bootblack, enabling him to do his best work, and making it simple to reach any desired article of equipment, and making the shoeshine compartments self cleaning.

In order to understand clearly the nature of the invention and the best means for carrying it out, reference may now be had to the drawings, in which like numerals denote similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown, there is a main shoe shine box portion generally indicated at 20, and a main seat portion generally indicated at 22. The main shoe shine box portion 20 includes a forward wall 24 secured at its side edges 26 and 28 to the forward marginal edges 30 and 32 of main side walls 34 and 36 respectively, in any suitable manner, as by nailing, screws, or other means. A reinforcing slat 38 extends right across the lower marginal edge of the forward wall 24', being secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by nailing, screws, or the like, and it is seen that the lower edge of the slat 38, that is as at 40, extends lower than the lower edge of the wall 24. The extended edge portion 40 of the slat 38 overlaps the bottom strut 42, that is the forwardI edge thereof, the strut 42 being secured right across the underside 46 of the forward wall 24, and across the undersides 48 and 50 of the side walls 34 and 36, being secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by nailing, screws or the like, and aiding in maintaining the square relationship of the parts.

Rubber forward feet 52 are secured to the underside of each end portion of the strut 42 in any suitable manner as by screws, nails, or adhesively, being adapted to support the forward portion resiliently upon the ground or oor. A rearward wall 54 has its vertical edges 56 and 58 secured between the inner edges 60 and 62, respectively, of the side walls 34 and 36, in any suitable manner as by nailing, screws or the like, and thus closes the rear end of the main shoeshine box chamber 64 thus defined by the walls 24, 34, 36 and 54. From Figure 4, it is seen that the upper edge 66 of the wall 54, does not go as high as the upper edges of the walls 24, 34 and 36. This upper edge 66 thus provides support for the portion 68 of the main horizontal seat element 'l0 when in the extended position shown in Figures 2 and 4.

Side rails 'l2 and 14 are secured to the inner surfaces of the side walls 34 and 36, by screws 16, their upper edges 18 being disposed substantially below the upper edges 80 of the side walls 34 and 36, and sloping rearwardly downwardly as at 82, forming cam surfaces thereat, for supporting the outer edges 84 and 86 of the member 10 upon the rails, allowing the member to ascend from the level shown in Figure 4, to the level where its lower surface 88 is in contact with the plane upper surfaces 18 of the rails l2, 14 upon retraction of the seat to the left as seen in Figure 4, to the retracted position shown in Figure 1. This elevates the vertical wall member 90 also, upon such retraction, so that its rubber feet 92 are elevated above the floor, to the positions shown in Figure 1. The reinforcing strut 94 extends right across the lower marginal portion 96 of the wall 90, being secured thereto by nailing, screws or other means, and partly overlying the rubber feet 02. Dragging of the rubber feet 92 upon extension or retraction, is thus substantially eliminated by virtue of the dimensions shown, and the cam surfaces 82.

A corner stud 98 is secured by screws |00 to the seat wall l0, and by screws |02 to rear wall 90, in the manner shown in Figure 4, so as to maintain the members 10 and 90 in perpendicular planes as shown. A partition |04 extends across the front edge of the stud 98, being secured thereto to dene a small compartment to receive a wire suede brush |06 disposed therein. Side walls |08 and ||0, extend upwardly from the edges of the floor member 10, their forward edges ||2 being interconnected by a forward wall ||4 secured thereto in any suitable manner and also resting upon and secured to the member 10. A strut H6 extends across the forward portions of the upper edges of the walls |08 and ||0 and the top edge of the wall ||4, being secured in position by nailing or screws. A closure member ||8, covering the bala-nce of the opening in the-seat compartment |20, has a strap |22 the opposite ends of which extend through notches formed therein to permit it to t closely in the position shown. The closure member ||8 has divergent slats |24 secured to its underside, the forward ends |26 of the slats extending forwardly underneath the toe strut I6 when in the inserted position, to block withdrawal in an upward direction. Hence, when the lock portions |30 and |32 are in engagement, the cover member ||8 is secured against withdrawal. At the same time, however, when the seat portion is in extended position as in Figure 2, the cover I8 may be withdrawn in the direction of the arrow |34, to uncover thechamber |20, affording access to the brushes |36 and polishing cloths |38 stored therein. The cover ||8 forms the seat for the bootblack to seat himself while working, and it is seen that its elevation is approximately the same as the sole of the shoe, for best results and comfort.

A strut |44 inter-connects the lower edges of the side walls 34 and 36, being secured thereto in any7 suitable manner, and has rubber feet |46 secured thereto at each end. Supplemental side walls |48 and |50 are secured to the rearward portions of the side walls 34 and 36, extending partly beyond and to the right of the right hand edges thereof, as seen in Figures 4 and 5, andy are interconnected at their upper ends by means of across piece |52. Reinforcing segments |54 are secured to the inner surfaces of the walls |48 and |50, above the top edges of the side walls 34 and 36.

The leading end 68 of the member 'I0 is reduced in width as seen in Figure 5, and has an underlying foot |60 which acts as a stop against the top of wall 54, so as to block withdrawal toward the right beyond the position shown in Figure 4. Openings |62 are formed through the member l0, to permit dirt to drop therethrough, for easy cleaning. A top piece |66 is secured across the top of the front wall 24 and the forward portions of the top edges of the side walls 34 and 36, and provides a base for the member which is to support. the shoe While be.

:a6-'regate ing worked upon by the bootblack. This may be the universal vshoe support shown -at '|`-'|0, which is lfully described in tmy copending patent application 'Serial Number 141,287, iiled January 30, 1950 vand entitled Automatic Shoe `Rest and Support, Vand which matured into Patent No..2,6'39,4'57 issued May 26, 1953, screws |112 penetrating the lbase flange thereof and `the wall |85 forsecuring the same in the position shown. This permits the :customer to turn his foot in any manner as needed.

Or the type of shoe support shown at |-'|-4 .may be employed, this having fee't "|16, secured to a plate |18 by means of screws |80. A rod |82 extends across the bottom of the plate |18, being bent toward its lower surface and secured thereto in spaced relationship by screws |84. The rod |82 can be hooked into the lower hook |88 in the manner of Figure 1, when not in use, the lower edge of the plate resting against the front wall 24. A plug |90 is carried on the undersurface of the plate |18, and is adapted to enter a matching opening |92 formed in the stud |85 to receive the same when placed in the operative position shown in Figure 3, being centered automatically thereby. In that position, Figure 3, the member |10 is not in use, but the rod |82 is now hooked into the upper hook |94 of the hook plate |96 secured on the forward. surface 24 of the box. The rest |14 is firmly held in position as in Figure 3, and is quite stable.

A floor member E98 has side laths 200 interconnected by end laths 282 resting on members 42 and If'ixi, and a wide mesh screen sheet 204 overlies and is secured to the laths 200 and 202, overlying the central opening 206 formed therebetween. This thus forms the floor of the main shoeshine compartment and is removable by merely elevating it slightly above the members 42 and |44, and twisting it so that it will clear the opening in the bottom, so that it can be Withdrawn right through the bottom of the box if needed. Any dirt that may come into the box will fall right through the wide mesh, and -f hence it stays clean at all times.

A divider member 2|0 has end walls 2 I2 interconnected by longitudinal walls 2|4 and 2I6, which in turn are interconnected by lateral wall 2|8. The divider member is movable on the upper surface of the wide mesh floor, and provides compartments for iour cans of shoe polish 220, dauber brushes 222, and these are maintained at all times in position for being easily selected as needed and reached. At each end there is space for the shoe dye bottles 224 which may remain in their customary cardboardjackets, and also at the other ends, for the shoe cleaner liquids 226, also in bottles as shown. All parts and pieces are readily accessible, and can be inserted and removed without handling any other elements or equipment, thus keeping it clean, orderly and neat. Further, speed of working is enhanced, since there is no need for searching around for any desired article.

Although I have described the invention in specic terms, it will be understood that various changes may be made in size, shape, materials and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It will also be clear that the thickness of strap |22 is exaggerated for clarity, and it is iiexibly depressible against I8.

I claim:

1.Bootblack equipment comprising a main housing having a rst-chamber formed therein, awall forming fa floor of said chamber and being formed Awith 'openings to allow dirt inl saidfchamber -to fall therethrough by gravity force, said rst 'chamber being adapted for the reception of shoe'cleaning and polishing materials-a shoe sup'- port means `carriedby said main housing to support a shoe to be cleaned and shined-saidlohamber having .side walls, rail means engagingv portions of said side walls of Ysaid rst chamber, a

cover means zs'lidably vengaging said rail means and .movable from retractcd ,position when it terms a .closure for said first chamber, -toextended position when it extends outwardly from said main housing, exposing said first chamber to view, said covei` means being adapted to be used as a seat, a cover supporting wall means engaging a rearward portion of said cover means for supporting the same above the floor, said covei` means providing support for the seating of a bootblack while shining said shoe.

2. The construction according to claim 1, wherein cam surface means is carried by said rail means, and constructed and arranged to elevate said cover means and seat supporting wall means upon retraction thereof into first chamber closing position.

3. The construction according to claim 1, wherein second chamber means is formed in engagement with said cover means for containing articles for cleaning and polishing shoes, second cover means forming a closure for said second chamber means and forming a seat surface for a bootblack while cleaning and polishing said shoe, whereby, upon extension of said cover means from said first chamber means, uncovering the same, said second cover means may be removed to aord access to said second chamber means, and then replaced to provide seating support surface for said bootblack.

4. The construction according to claim 1, wherein said floor of said chamber is removable therefrom, and wherein floor space allocating and constraining means is provided and carried by said chamber oor wall.

5. Bootblack equipment comprising a main housing having a irst chamber formed therein, a wall forming a iloor of said chamber and being formed with openings to allow dirt in said chamber to fall therethrough by gravity force, said rst chamber being adapted for the reception of shoe cleaning and polishing materials, rail means engaging upper wall portions of said rst chamber, a cover means slidably engaging said rail means and movable from retracted position when it forms a closure for said first chamber, to extended position when it extends outwardly from said main housing, exposing said iirst chamber to View, said cover means being adapted to be used as a seat, a cover supporting wall means engaging a rearward portion of said cover means for supporting the same above the floor, said cover means providing support for the seating of the user while using the device.

6. The construction according to claim 5, wherein cam surface means is carried by said rail means, and constructed and arranged to elevate said cover means and seat supporting wall means upon retraction thereof into rst chamber closing position.

7. The construction according to claim 5, wherein second chamber means is formed in engagement with said cover means for containing articles for cleaning and polishing and the like, second cover means forming a closure for said second chamber means and forming a seat surface for a bootblack or other user while using the same, whereby, upon extension of said cover means from said rst chamber means, uncovering the same, said second cover means may be removed to afford access to said second chamber means, and then replaced to provide seating support for said user. v

References Cited in the le 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Guertin Dec. 7, 1948 Number D. 151,983

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